TV: FSN
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Statistically speaking, 9 out of 10 pitches that Baker throws to right-handed hitters will be a fastball or a slider. Against lefties, more than 9 pitches out of 10 will be the fastball, slider or changeup. The only pitch not yet mentioned is his curve, which oddly enough is also the pitch that has the lowest batting average on balls in play play at an impressive .157. Considering it's his least-used pitch, it might not be a bad pitch to show more often.
Says the writer.
Anyway, playing in the confines of that apparently pitcher-friendly Target Field should hopefully keep Oakland's home run totals under Toronto's two from his first appearance.
McCarthy's been around forever it seems, part of it probably because he's already on this third team, but he's still just 27 and has spent parts of six seasons in the Majors. And he spent what portion he had of 2010 in triple-A for Texas.In his first outing this season, the Jays gave him a rough sixth inning but outside of that he pitched well. He threw just a few sliders and didn't get burned once, but he was almost exclusively fastball-curveball with a show-me changeup. And his trademark lack of command didn't rear its ugly head. If he's going to have success today against a Twins team just waiting to break out for a big game, he'll have to have that same control.
I think the Twins will blow McCarthy up today.
A's
DeJesus, CF
Barton, 1B
Willingham, LF
Matsui, DH
Sweeney, RF
Ellis, 2B
Kouzmanoff, 3B
Powell, C
Pennington, SS
Twins
Span, CF
Mauer, C
Morneau, 1B
Thome, DH
Young, LF
Kubel, RF
Cuddyer, 2B
Valencia, 3B
Casilla, SS